Storm Closes Roads, Snarls Traffic, Damages School

Story by AZPM Staff

last updated July 26, 2013

A thunderstorm dropped up to one inch of rain on parts of east and central Tucson Friday afternoon, knocking down power poles. The storm caused flooding, closing streets and roads and damaging the roof of a school on the city's south side.

Staff at Van Buskirk Elementary School were evacuated after the roof was damaged. No injuries were reported.

In the same neighborhood, Tucson Electric Power reported that 9,000 customers were without power because of poles down at South Park Avenue and East Fair and Irvington Road and Campbell Avenue.

The National Weather Service reported up to one inch of rain fell in areas of Tucson. At the University of Arizona, the weather station reported 0.28 of an inch of rain. At Tucson International Airport, three miles from the damage at the school and to power poles, just a trace of rain was recorded.

The Pima County Transportation Department reported six roads closed because of flooding: Overton Road at Canada Del Oro Wash, Wilmot Road from Andrada Road to Sahuarita Road, El Tiro Road from Cocio Road past Pump Station Road to end of pavement, Contractors Way from Irvington Rd north to Tucson city limits at Alvernon Way and Silverbell Road between Avra Valley Road to Sasco Road.

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